Simon Community Northern Ireland

Phone Number: 02890232882
Email: recruit@simoncommunity.org
Web: www.simoncommunity.org

Job description

Are you passionate about using research to create lasting social change? Simon Community is seeking a dedicated Researcher to lead an exciting two-year project focused on improving how systems identify and respond to women at risk of chronic homelessness across Northern Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a qualitative research programme focused on women experiencing, or at risk of, chronic homelessness.
• Conduct in-depth interviews exploring pathways into homelessness, system interaction, and escalation of risk.
• Lead longitudinal engagement with a sub-sample of women tracking changes over time.
• Identify priority areas for improvement.
• Work alongside service delivery partners to generate real-time insight from practice.
• See job description for full list of responsibilities.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, with a strong grounding in qualitative research methods; OR Equivalent senior-level applied research experience, including methodological design, analysis, and translation.
• Demonstrable experience of designing and delivering qualitative research, including data collection and analysis.
• Strong experience of thematic analysis including coding, interpretation, and synthesis of complex data.
• Experience of working with vulnerable or marginalised groups, using trauma-informed and ethical approaches.
• Experience of translating research findings into practical recommendations for policy or service delivery.
• Experience of managing research projects or discrete workstreams independently.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of longitudinal or participatory research.
• Knowledge of the Northern Ireland homelessness and policy landscape.
• Experience of working with systems change or service improvement approaches.